Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Saudi Arabia - Essay Example The most difficult duty that the King has to perform is to maintain a balanced and harmonious relationship among the Royal Family members, the upper-class people of the society and the Ulama, an Islamic religious community (Lacey 39). The difficulty mainly arises from the conflict of interests between the religious community and the other bourgeois class people, as in this regard, Matthes et al says that the king’s decision-making often involves maintaining balance and mitigating â€Å"conflict between religious and power interests† (3). Due to the tribal pattern of the Saudi Arabian society, the King often needs to interfere into tribal agreements, and at the same time, to renew the government’s agreements with the Arabian tribes. It is mutually agreed that, unlike a democratic political system the Saudi Royal Family is endowed with the power to dethrone the King. Overview of Saudi Arabian Government From the very beginning of the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, the country is being ruled under monarchy, as Gerald Butt, a middle East Analyst, says, â€Å"The history of Saudi Arabia is entwined - as much as its name is - with the fate and fortunes of the House of Saud, which traces its origins back to the 18th Century† (2). ... t, Matthes et al says, â€Å"Occupying nearly all the important state positions, the large Al Saud family dominates Saudi-Arabian politics as well as parts of the economy making the desert kingdom a â€Å"family firm†(4). The country’s high authoritative decisions come from a cabinet of 15 members. Since the cabinet primarily consists of members who are close in kinship to the King, it becomes often difficult to take a decision by fulfilling all of the members’ interests. The decisions are often deterred and protracted. Constitution of Saudi Arabia: Interests of Royal Family, Islam, and the Leading Technocrat in it Since Saudi Arabia’s constitution consists of the Koran, Allah’s laws and Sunnah, the explanation of the Koran, the country does not have any constitution in traditional sense, rather it has some 83 operational laws on which the kingdom is expected to be operated. Since the state is responsible for the enforcement of Islamic law or Shari ah, the Saudi constitution does not consider the existence of religious organizations. Also Article 5 declares the political system of the country as monarchy and also it does not permit any political organizations in the country. According to article 5c, the King can choose his heir. Though the King is considered to be endowed with unfettered power, he is expected to respect Islamic Laws and Values. According to Article 44, three types of authorities are considered to function as parts of the state, while the King preserves the supreme power to interfere into any of these authoritative powers. According to the Saudi Constitution, the monarchy is considered as the key source of power with the right to interfere into any level of the government. The Council of Ministers and its Functions during the Years Prior to 1990